Erdogan: We are ready to mediate between Iran and the US

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in an interview with the newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat": "First of all, I consider it necessary to emphasize a very important point; experience has shown that scenarios that ignore the values, identity, past and future of this region will bring nothing to the region except more pain and suffering and disaster, and will not achieve security and peace."

 

He added: "We have witnessed the wounds and tragedies that such scenarios have left in Gaza, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan that are still alive in our memory. Therefore, Turkey does not want our region to witness a new war or a new wave of destruction."

 

Stressing the need to resolve issues through dialogue, rationality, and wisdom, the Turkish President stated: “We have stated our opposition to any military intervention against Iran in all circles and have always called on the opposing parties to refrain from any action that would increase tensions.”

 

Erdogan continued: “We are closely following developments in Iran and attach great importance to Iran’s security and stability, and we do not in any way view positively any foreign intervention scenarios that would cause suffering to the Iranian people.”

 

He emphasized: “Turkey is ready to play a mediating role between Iran and the United States to reduce tensions and resolve issues, and will continue its contacts within this framework. We oppose any action that sparks war and support any step that leads to strengthening peace and security in the region.”

 

Referring to Turkey’s increasing consultations with regional countries including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Erdogan said, “We do not look at issues with a bloc mentality or the creation of new alliances.”

 

He added, “What our region needs is cooperation based on common sense and shared responsibility, not the formation of new balances and alliances. Our goal is not to manage a crisis, but to prevent it from happening by strengthening the platform for diplomatic dialogue.”

 

The Turkish president also suggested that regional security mechanisms be established to prevent crises before they happen.

 

Erdogan described Ankara-Riyadh relations as having strategic importance for peace, stability and prosperity in the region, saying that these relations are not merely economic, but are defined as a “stabilizing approach” in the region.

 

Referring to his meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he announced plans to expand cooperation in the political, economic, security and defense industries, and emphasized that defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia is pursued with the aim of increasing mutual trust, improving technology and production capacity.

 

On the other hand, regarding Gaza, Erdogan emphasized that the main axis of any peace plan must include making the ceasefire permanent, protecting civilians, ensuring the continuous and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid, and completely stopping forced migration, and without the realization of these items, any dialogue will be "ignoring the essence of the issue."